Bessemer plant



(No Model.) 4 SheetsSheet 1.

.W. HAINSWORTH.

B-ESSBMER-PLANT.- No. 309,540. Patented Dec. 23, 1884.

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, 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

W. HAINSWORTH.

BBSSEMB'R PLANT.

Patented Dec. 23, 1884.

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(No Model.) 4 Sheets'Sheet 33.

W. HAINSWORTH.

BESSEMER PLANT. No. 309,540. Patented Dec. 23. 1884.

N. PETERS. Pholo-Lilhcgmphen Washin ton. D. C.

' 4-Sheets-Sheet 4. W. HAINSWORTH.

BESSEMER PLANT.

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ilni w STATES lfla'rnivr @rrrca \VILLIAM HAINSXVOHTH, OF PITTSBURG,PENNSYLVANIA.

BESSEMEIR PLANT.

@PECIFICATIQIKT forming part of Letters Patent No. 309,540, datedDecember 23, 188%.

I I Application filed April 21, 1884. (No model.)

0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM Hnnvswonrn, a citizen oftheUnited States,residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented or discovered certain new and usefulImprovements in Besseiner Plants, of which improvements the following isa specification.

- In the accompanying drawings, which make part of thisspecifieat-iomF-igure 1 is a view in front elevation of a Bessemerconverter mounted on hydraulic rams secured to a movable car or truck,one trunnion of the converter bein g connected to a blast-pipe. Fig. 2is an end side elevation of a converter similarly mounted, the converterbeing turned down in position for pouring the metal into molds. Fig. 3is a top plan view showing the converter in the same position as in Fig.2. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a modified form of the plant. Fig. 5is a side elevation of the crane shown in Fig. 4, showing the runncr-boxsuspended from the horizontal arm of the crane. Figs. 6 and 7 are detailviews of the blast-pipe coupling. Fig. 8 is a detail view of a modifiedform of the blast-pipe. Fig. 9 is a view of my improved plant inelevation.

My invent-ion relates to improvements in Bessemer plants, whereby smallsound castings may be easily and cheaply produced.

In the manufacture of Bessemer-steel cast ings it is customary to mountthe converter on suitable stationary pillow-blocks, and to convcythemolten iron to be treated from the cupola or furnace to the converter ina ladle, and after the meta]. has been treated in the converter to pourthe steel into another ladle,

in which it is carried to the molds, into which it is then poured. Thismethod has not been objectionable heretofore, as the steel, has beencast in large ingot-molds, each having about one-fourth (more or less)of the capacity of the converter; but now, when it is desired to castsmall articles from the Bessemer metal, for which purpose the steelshould be in a very fluid condition, it is found that in the transfor ofthe metal from the converter to the comparatively cool ladle the metalis chilled to a considerable degree, and is consequently less fluid;and, as the sides of the ladle are comparatively thin, there is aconstant and large loss of heat going on during the filling of the moldsfor these small articles, which, from their number and small capacity,prolong the casting operation. v

The object of my invention is to so construct and arrange the parts of aBessemer plant that the metal is maintained at a high degree of heatthroughout the casting operation; and to this end my invention consistsin general terms in the construction and combination of parts formingthe plant, all as more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

The converter A is mounted in suit-ablyshaped bearings, 3, formed on theupper ends ol the plungers 2 of thehydraulic rams 1, which are securedto the platform of a car, B, adapted to run on rails 4, suitablyarranged near the molding-floor of a foundry.

On one of the trunnions of a converter A is secured the gear-wheel 5,which, when the converter is in place, meshes with a worm, 6, mounted inabracket, 7, formed on or secured to one of the bearings 3. One end ofthis worm is suitably shaped to fit the socket of a hand wheel or crank,or a socket secured. to the end of a power-driven shaft, therebyproviding for turning the converter by hand or by suitablydrivenmechanism.

At some convenient point along the line of rails 41. is located acupola, S, or suitable melting-furnace, from which the converter may befilled either by placing the mouth of the converter directly under thedischarge'opening of the cupola or by arranging a trough between thedischarge-opening and the mouth of the converter.

Along the line of rails 4, and in convenient proximity thereto, isarranged a blast-pipe, 9, which is provided with a branch pipe, 10,adapted to turn in a vertical plane on the blast-pipe. This branch pipe10 is provided with the short horizontal branch 11, having a flange, 12.on its outer end, adapted to'fit against a flange, 13, on the end of thehollow trunnion of the converter.

Around the horizontal branch 11 is placed the flanged ring or collar 14,having the in clined lugs 15. Then the flanges of the trunnion and thebranch 11 are brought together, zoo

the lugs of the collar let pass through notches 16 in the flange 13,which is a little 4 mouth of the converter.

larger in diameter than the flange 12, then byturning the collar 14 bythe handle 17 the flanges are firmly locked together.

If desired, asuitable packing may be placed between the flanges, and inplace of forming the lugs 15 with inclined inner faces inclined lugs maybe formed on the rear side of the flange 13 adjacent to the notches 16.

In place of the above-described device any other suitable clampingmechanism may be employed to secure the flanges together. If desired,branches may be formed on the blastpipe at two or more points along theline of rails, each branch being provided with a suitable valve to shutoff the blast when desired. If desired, the horizontal brench 11 may bemade telescopic to adjust it up to the trunnion of the converter; or thebranch pipe may be made of flexible material, the end thereof beingprovided with a suitable coupling for uniting it with thehollow trunnionof the converter. In one side of the converter near its top is formed apouring-nozzle,19, through which the metal is discharged into therunnerbox b, which is pivotally mounted on a horizontal arm, 20, pivotedto the plunger of a hydraulic ram mounted on the car B at one side ofthe converter. This runner-box is provided with a receiving-basin, 22,and an outlet, 23, in which may be inserted a spout, 24. The runner-boxmight be dispensed with and the metal run directly from the converterinto the molds; but I prefer to use the runnerbox, as it breaks thefallof the metallinto the mold, and can be more easily adjusted so as todirect the metal into the mold. Over the mouth of the converter issecured a semicircular plate, 25, which prevents the metal from escapingfrom the mouth when the converter is turned down, all the metal beingdrawn from the converter. through the nozzle 19. This plate is securedover the mouth of the con verter by bolts or clamps, which pass throughor over the edges of the plate and a flange formed around the outerperiphery of the This plate not only prevents the escape of the metalfrom the mouth of the converter, but also prevents access of cold air,while permitting of the escape of gases from the converter.

To preventthe car B from tipping during any of the manipulations of theconverter, grapples or crabs 26 are secured to the sides of the car,said crabs being constructed to catch under the rail-heads and alsoslide alongthe rails as the ear is moved.

Along the line of rails 4 are arranged the molds a.

. The car carrying the converter is run in front of the cupola orfurnace and the molten iron is poured into it. Then the converter iscarried into position near one of the branch b1ast-pipes,which is thenconnected to the hollow trunnion. The blast is then turned on, and theconverter is turned up, as is usual in the blowing operation. After themetal has been blown and treated the converter is turned down, theblast-pipe disconnected, andthe converter is then moved alongside of themolds. The runner-box is now swung around under the nozzle of theconverter, and its outlet adjusted over the sprue of the mold. Then byslightly turning the worm, by hand or by power, the converter is tippedsufficiently to cause the steel therein to flow over and out the nozzle19 and against the dam 25, thus presenting a supply of clean metal tothe nozzle. As the upper end of the converter is gradually loweredduring the casting operation, the runner-box is correspondingly loweredand moved inward toward the converter, so as to keep the basin 22constantly under the nozzle. As each mold is filled the car is movedalong by any suitable meansas, for instance, a worm and gearmechanism-applied to one of the axles of the car, as shown in Fig. 1.Before the cast-iron is charged into the converter the nozzle 19 isstopped up with alump of fire-clay,which is broken out after the blowing operation is finished. The inner face of the dam-plate 25 shouldalso be coated with fire-clay to prevent its being burned out by thefluid steel. When higher molds are used, the converter and runner-boxare raised by admitting water under the plunger of the hydraulic rams,which are connected to a con veniently-located pump or accumulator byflexible pipes.

It will be apparent from the above that the steel is constantlyprotected from any chilling from the time itis produced until it isdelivered into the mold.

During the blowing operation the inner walls of the converter, which areusually of fire-clay, ganister, or other suitable material, and whichare highly heated before the molten iron is placed therein, are raisedto a tempera ture equal to that of the steel produced therein, and thesenon-conducting walls, which are quite thick, retain their heat, andconsequently prevent any material loss of heat in the steel, and keep itin that fluid condition necessary for the production of small castingsor castings having small parts.

In using ladles or other equivalent devices in which a large body of themetal is poured during the casting operation it is impossible to keepthe metal at the proper temperature, for the reason that the walls ofthe ladle are so thin that they cannot retain the heat, even if they beheated before the steel is poured into them; and, further, it isimpracticable, if not impossible, to heat the ladle to the temperatureof the steel within the converter; and,

IIO

further, the pouring of the steel from the conconverter, whose capacityis great] y in excess such that they expose a large surface of the lsteel to loss of heat by radiation; but in the of the amount of metalplaced in it, and whose shape is such as to prevent the access of anycold air to the surface of the metal, there is very little loss fromradiation. In fact the walls ofthe converter will be constantly throwingheat down upon the surface of the metal.

Another advantage arising from the use of my improved plant is that ifthe metal should from any cause become too cool one of the blast-pipescould be attached to the converter and the metal again raised to theproper temperature, enough manganese and spiegeleisen being added afterthe blow to replace the carbon removed in the second blow; or, if it isdesired to cast two different grades of steel it is only necessary toproduce and cast the highest grade first and then attach the blastpipeagain and blow the remaining metal until sufficient carbon has beenremoved to produce the next grade desired.

In carrying into effect the last two opera tions I may use a flexiblepipe and keep it attached conslantlyqto the converter, so that the blastmay be turned on at any time.

In Figs. l and 5 is shown a modified form of plant for carrying mymethod into operation. The converter is suspended from a movable block,27, mounted on the horizontal arm 28 of the hydraulic crane 29, theblock 27 be ing connected to the piston of the hydraulic cylinder 30,for moving the block and converter in and out along the arm 28. The wormin this plant is secured in a bracket formed on one of the arms of thesuspending-bar 31. The melting furnace or cupola 8 is located at somepoint just outside of the circle described by the converter when carriedaround by the crane, andjust opposite said cupola, and within the sweepof the converter, are placed the eration is effected as above described.

pillars 32, having their upper ends forked to receive the trunnions ofthe converter, which are made sutliciently long to rest on said pillarsoutside of the worm and gear. Along side of one of the pillars is placedthe blastpipe 83, so that the metal can be blown while theconverterisrestingon said pillars. Around l the hydraulic crane islocated the circular i line of track ll on which runs the car D,carrying the hydraulic rain 21, and on the plunger of this ram ispivoted the horizontal arm 20, on the outer end of which is pivoted thel runner-box b. The molds (t are arranged, around this track St, in suchproximity thereto that the spout of the l'Lll'llJOF-lJOX may be adjustedov 1' their sprue-holes.

In place of arranging the runner-box b on a car, it may be mountedon'the end of the horizontal arm 35 of an l shape bar, so. whose upperend is attached to a block, 37, sliding on thehorizontal arm of thehydraulic crane. The bar 36 is so attached to the block 37 that it maybe raised or lowered, and the crane is provided with a screw,38,1nounted in bearings on the horizontal arm thereof, and working in athreaded. opening through the block 37. The inner end of the screw ispro Vided with a wheel, 39, over which passes a chain, il), the lowerpart of said chain being within reach of an operator.

The operation of this form of plant is similar to that of the otherplant. The converter is swung around in front of the cupola and lowereduntil its trunnions rest in the bearings of the pillars 32. The moltenmetal is then run into the converter, and the blast-pipe 33 is connectedto the hollow trunnion. The converter is then turned up and blown asusual, and after the metal is blown and the manganese and spiegeleisenadded the casting op- The sole function of the pillars is to steady theconverter while being charged with molten metal and during the blowingoperatiomwhich might cause an objectionable amount of swing ing orvibration to the converter.

I claim herein as my invention- 1.. In a plant for producing steelcastings, a cupola or melting i'urnace,in combination with a series ofstationary molds, a portable converter, means for conveying theconverter from the n1elting-fnrnace successively to each mold of theseries, and means for turning the converter, substantially as set forth.

2. In a plant for producing steelcastings, a cupola or other meltingfurnace, in combination with a series of stationary molds, a portableconverter, means for conveying the converter from the melting-furnace toeach mold of the series successively, means for turning the converter,and a portable runner box, substantially as set forth.

.5. In a plantfor producing steel castings. a cupola, in combinationwith a series of molds, a line of rails connecting the cupola and molds,and running along the series of molds, a car mounted on said line ofrails, a converter mounted on said car, and means for turning theconverter at each mold, substantially as set forth.

In a plant for producing steel castings, a cupola, in combination withaline of rails, a bl astpipe having branch connections arranged alongsaid line of rails, a car, and a converter mounted in suitable supportson said car,sub- .stantially as set forth.

5. In a plant for producing steel castings, the combinzittion of a car,hydraulic rains se 5 cured to said car, with a converter mounted on theplungers of said rams, substantially as set forth.

(i. In a plant for producing steel castings, the combination of the car3, the hydraulic rams]. and 21, the converter mounted on the plunger-s1, and the runner box mounted on a horizontal arm pivoted to the plungerof the ram 21, substantially as set forth.

'7. In a plant for producing steel castings,

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 1o my hand.

theoonverter A, provided with the pouring nozzle 19, formed in the sideof the converter near its mouth, substantially as set forth.

8. In a plant for producing steel castings, the converter A, providedwith the pouringi i WILLIAM HAINSWORTH.

nozzle 19, formed in the side of the converter Witnesses: v

DARWIN S. WoLoo'rr, OLIVER FULTON.

near its mouth, in combination with the plate 25, secured across themouth of the converter,

, substantially as set forth.

